Pearl Public School District Earns ‘A’ Rating

Oct. 5, 2022

Source: Rankin County News

PEARL - On Sept. 29, the Mississippi state board of Education approved new accountability grades for Mississippi schools and districts for the first time since 2019. The Pearl Public School District earned an A rating for the 2021-2022 school year.

"We are very proud of the effort of all our teachers and staff in Pearl," Pearl Superintendent of Schools Chris Chism stated. "I'm so proud to see the hard work and dedication of everyone here recognized with other schools across the state. The rating is important for our schools and our city."

Chism pointed out a few noteworthy details in the assessment data:

• The district grew five points from 686/A to 691/A.
• Reading growth of the lowest performing students grew from 56.7 to 56.9 percent.
• Math growth for all students grew from 69 to 71 percent.
• Math growth of lowest performing students grew from 61.3 to 69.5 percent.
• History proficiency grew from 63.9 to 69.2 percent.
• Acceleration grew from 63.9 to 72.4 percent.
• College and Career readiness grew from 47.3 to 50.2 percent.
• The graduation rate is the tenth highest in the state at 93.9 percent.

In addition to recieving an A rating as a district, Pearl Lower Elementary, Northisde Elementary and Pearl Upper Elementary earned A ratings. This is the first time Pearl upper Elementary has earned an A rating in this accountabiltiy model. Pearl Junior High and Pearl High School earned B ratings.

School Board President Sondra Odom expressed the board's pleasure with the performance of the district saying "recieving an A rating affirms the countless hours of excellent instruction provided by teachers and the support provided to them by our administration and staff. We thank the entire staff, our parents and community for their support and commitment. It's an exciting time to be a Pirate."

Superintendent Chism pointed out "We are all going to take the time to celebrate this accomplishment as a district. However, our goal is to continue to improve our opportunities and outcomes for all students, now and in the years to come."